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Innerleithen bikers aiming for the heights
LOCALS are taking matters into their own hands and have set up a group to get a chairlift for mountain bikers at Innerleithen.
The popular downhill 7Stanes centre needs an uplift and bike park, argues the new Action on the Innerleithen Mechanical Uplift (AIMUp).
It has attracted nearly 2,400 supporters on its Facebook page - Support the Innerleithen Uplift.
Guesthouse owner, Steve Davies, co-founder of AIMUp, said: “Other places are catching up (on the Tweed Valley’s renowned mountain biking) fast now and we need to maintain our position and that means investment and broadening the market.”
The group aims “to promote mountain biking on Minch Moor, Plora Craig and Plora Rig by building a mechanical uplift and creating the Innerleithen bike park owned and run for the benefit of the local community”.
“It’s not just about creating an uplift to take people to the top of the hill so they can go across country and downhill, it’s about creating better trails, a better network of trails and better facilities. It’s about creating a proper, full-on experience and there is no reason why that can’t happen,” said Mr Davies.
A Scottish Enterprise feasibility study in 2008 put the cost of a chairlift at around £10 million but suggested developing mountain biking in the area could create 145 full-time jobs.
Currently riders have to push their bikes back up the hill at Innerleithen where downhill competitions, including the iXS European Downhill stage earlier this year, take place.
AIMUp includes local businesses, mountain bikers and residents in Innerleithen, Traquair, Walkerburn and Cardrona, and supporters have been writing to Scottish Borders Council (SBC) urging action.
Mr Davies said the group is developing a plan to make the most of current facilities – such as the bus-based uplift, enhancing the range of riding available, improving links with Innerleithen “and potentially working with other parties to establish a base station with cafes, shops, and teaching and coaching facilities” – while building the case for a mechanical uplift.
The campaigning group has met with local MSP Jeremy Purvis, Scottish Enterprise and SBC.
“We want to create a 21st century facility for mountain bikers of all abilities and to consolidate Innerleithen as a world-class mountain biking venue,” said Mr Davies.
AIMUp will be presenting its plans and seeking community views at the Innerleithen’s Christmas lights switch-on on December 12.
Meanwhile, Kielder Reavers, the group which started off Kielder Water and Forest Park as a mountain biking destination, celebrates its fifth anniversary and is hoping to recruit members at its trail building open day at Kielder Castle on Saturday (November 20) from 10am at Kielder Castle. For more information visit www.kieldertrailreavers.com
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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